Is it worth it to put 20% down to avoid PMI?

Asked by: Elmer Ankunding  |  Last update: October 7, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (21 votes)

PMI Is a Lost Investing Opportunity Homebuyers who put down less than 20% of the sale price will have to pay PMI until the home's total equity reaches 20%. This could take years, and it amounts to a lot of money you pay to protect the lender without a benefit to yourself.

Should I put 20 down to avoid PMI?

Typically, a lender will require you to pay for PMI if your down payment is less than 20% on a conventional mortgage. You can get rid of PMI after you build up enough equity in your home. NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team.

Is it better to put 20 percent down on a house?

Putting 20% or more down will save you a lot of money as much as $600+ per month depending on your credit score. Borrowers that put at least 20% down do not have to pay monthly mortgage insurance on the loan. Additional money down over 20% will lower your mortgage payment some which may be helpful for you.

Does PMI go away after 20%?

As a general rule, you can get PMI removed once you have 20% equity in your home.

Which of the following is not a benefit of having a 20% down payment?

The question asks which of the following is NOT a benefit of having a 20% down payment on a home loan. The correct answer is b. Shortens the term of the home purchase loan transaction.

Should You Put 20% Down on a House or Pay the PMI?

21 related questions found

Why is 20 percent considered the golden down payment?

Putting 20 percent or more down on your home helps lenders see you as a less risky borrower, which could help you get a better interest rate. A bigger down payment can help lower your monthly mortgage payments. With 20 percent down, you likely won't have to pay PMI, or private mortgage insurance.

How much is PMI normally?

Private mortgage insurance rates typically range from 0.19% to 2.25% of your mortgage. PMI rates depend on your credit scores, loan-to-value ratio and debt-to-income ratio, among other factors.

Is removing PMI a good idea?

The Bottom Line: Removing PMI Can Help Ease Your Financial Burden. Mortgage insurance gives many home buyers the option to pay a smaller amount upfront for their downpayment. However, it increases the monthly payment until you're able to remove it.

Is PMI wasted money?

PMI Is a Lost Investing Opportunity

Homebuyers who put down less than 20% of the sale price will have to pay PMI until the home's total equity reaches 20%. This could take years, and it amounts to a lot of money you pay to protect the lender without a benefit to yourself.

Can PMI be removed if house value increases?

Remember: You might be able to eliminate PMI when your home value rises or when you refinance the mortgage with at least 20 percent equity. But the onus is on you to request it.

Why do sellers want 20% down?

If you are competing for a home in a hot market, a 20% down payment may give you a "competitive edge over other buyers," said Rocket Mortgage. "Home sellers often prefer to work with buyers who make at least a 20% down payment," since "a bigger down payment is a strong signal that your finances are in order."

What are the disadvantages of a large down payment?

While there are good reasons to consider a large down payment, you should also be aware of four potential drawbacks.
  • Longer time to enter the market. ...
  • Less short-term flexibility. ...
  • Interference with investments or retirement saving. ...
  • Benefits take a while to add up.

How to remove PMI?

Ask to cancel your PMI: If your loan has met certain conditions and your loan to original value (LTOV) ratio falls below 80%, you may submit a written request to have your mortgage servicer cancel your PMI. For more information about canceling your PMI, contact your mortgage servicer.

What is the 20% rule for PMI?

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of mortgage insurance you might be required to buy if you take out a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price. PMI protects the lender—not you—if you stop making payments on your loan.

Why not put 20 down on a house?

You're making a big financial mistake.

The median home price in the U.S. in the second half of 2021 was $374,900. If you followed conventional advice and aimed to put down 20% as a down payment, you would need $75,000 saved in order to purchase a home before even considering closing costs.

Can you negotiate out of PMI?

Yes, PMI is removed once your loan balance drops to 78% of your home's original value. You can also proactively request to cancel PMI payments when you reach an 80% loan-to-value ratio. How to avoid PMI with a jumbo loan? Jumbo loans, which exceed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits, don't always require PMI.

Why do people avoid PMI?

Usually, PMI costs around $30-$70 per month for every $100,000 you borrow, according to Zillow. Most people want to avoid PMI because it's an unnecessary cost that doesn't provide them any value as the homeowner.

How much is PMI on a $300,000 loan?

Your mortgage lender will determine the PMI rate and multiply the percentage by the loan balance. For example, if the PMI rate is 0.5% and your loan amount is $300,000, your PMI will cost $1,500 annually or $125 monthly.

Is it better to put 20 down or pay PMI?

If you can afford it, putting 20% down on a house is ideal. It helps you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), reduces your loan amount, and lowers monthly payments.

How to not pay PMI without 20 down?

When it comes to PMI, if you have less than 20% of the sales price or value of a home to use as a down payment, you have two basic options: Use a stand-alone first mortgage and pay PMI until the LTV of the mortgage reaches 78%, at which point the PMI can be eliminated. 2. Use a second mortgage.

Who benefits from PMI?

Private mortgage insurance enables borrowers to gain access to the housing market more quickly, by allowing down payments of less than 20%, and it protects lenders against loss if a borrower defaults.

Is PMI tax deductible?

Is mortgage insurance tax-deductible? No, private mortgage insurance isn't tax-deductible now. The mortgage insurance deduction was only available for eligible homeowners for the 2018–2021 tax years.

Does PMI stop after 20%?

Key Takeaways. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is typically required when your down payment is less than 20% of your new home's value. PMI is automatically removed when your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio reaches 78%. You can request to have PMI removed from your loan when you reach 80% LTV in your home.

Why is my PMI so high?

The higher your LTV ratio, the higher your PMI payment. Your loan type: Because adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) carry a higher risk for lenders, your PMI might be more expensive with an ARM than with a fixed-rate loan. Your down payment amount: The closer your down payment is to 20 percent, the less your PMI.

Can you pay off PMI early?

You can remove PMI from your monthly payment once you have 20% equity in your home. You can do this either by requesting its cancellation or refinancing the loan. The specific steps you'll take to cancel your PMI will vary depending on the type of insurance you have.